North Carolina Geography


North Carolina is filled with different types of landforms. Mountains, hills, coasts, and islands are among the landforms that can be found in North Carolina.


Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

Mountains are characterized by their high elevation and their steepness. North Carolina has several different mountains and mountain chains. In North Carolina you can find the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains, Pilot Mountain, and Mount Mitchell.
Pilot Mountain, Located in Surry County, North Carolina
Pilot Mountain, Located in Surry County, North Carolina


Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
Mount Mitchell, North Carolina
Mount Mitchell, North Carolina


Hills are different from mountains because they do not have as high elevation and they are not steep. Hills also differ from mountains in the way that they are formed. Hills are formed as a result of erosion, water currents, and glaciers that melt and move. Hills are the most common landform in North Carolina's Piedmont Region.

Thunder Hill, Part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina.
Thunder Hill, Part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina.


North Carolina's coast meets the Atlantic Ocean. North Carolina's coast is divided into two parts, the outer and inner coastal plain. The inner coastal plain is the region of North Carolina that meets the Piedmont Region and the outer coastal plain is between the inner coastal plain and the Atlantic Ocean. The inner coastal plain is made up of low-lying flat land, while the outer coastal plains is made up of coast land and islands.

Map showing the location of the Inner Coastal Plain and the Outer Coastal Plain.
Map showing the location of the Inner Coastal Plain and the Outer Coastal Plain.
Coast of North Carolina.
Coast of North Carolina.


A final landform that can be found in North Carolina is an island. North Carolina's Outer Banks is made up of several islands including Oak Island, Topsail Island, and Ocracoke Island. Islands are pieces of land that are completely surrounded by water. The islands of North Carolina are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The islands of North Carolina were formed as a result of sand formation and erosion.

Topsail Island, North Carolina.
Topsail Island, North Carolina.
Oak Island Lighthouse, North Carolina.
Oak Island Lighthouse, North Carolina.

Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.
Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.


North Carolina also has several different types of bodies of water. North Carolina is met by the Atlantic Ocean. North Carolina also has rivers and lakes.

Map of North Carolina rivers and lakes.
Map of North Carolina rivers and lakes.

Oceans are the largest bodies of water found on Earth. There are 5 oceans that cover the Earth's surface. They are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans. The Atlantic Ocean is met by North Carolina's coast. Oceans are made up of salt water and its color is blue.
North Carolina's coast is met with the Atlantic Ocean.
North Carolina's coast is met with the Atlantic Ocean.


North Carolina is made up several different rivers. Each of the three regions have rivers that flow across North Carolina. The Neuse River and the Cape Fear River are two of the main rivers in the Coastal Plain Region. The Lumber River is located in the Piedmont Region. Finally the Mountain Region is home to the Tuckasegee River. Rivers are characterized by flowing water that runs down hill. A river is divided into three parts: upper course, middle course, and lower course. Rivers empty into a larger body of water like an ocean or lake.

Neuse River, North Carolina.
Neuse River, North Carolina.
Cape Fear River, North Carolina.
Cape Fear River, North Carolina.

Lumber River, North Carolina.
Lumber River, North Carolina.



Tuckasegee River, North Carolina.
Tuckasegee River, North Carolina.
















A third body of water that can be found in North Carolina is a lake. One of the key characteristics of a lake is that it is surrounded by land. Unlike oceans, which surround land, lakes are instead surrounded by land. Another characteristic of a lake that makes it different from a river is that it is a still body of water. Lakes can be naturally occurring or man-made. They also can be made up of fresh water or salt water. There are also several different lakes across North Carolina. The Coastal Region is home several lakes including Lake Waccamaw. Jordan Lake can be found in the Piedmont Region. Lake Lure can be found in the Mountain Region of North Carolina.

Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina.
Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina.
Jordan Lake located in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina
Jordan Lake located in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina

Lake Lure is one of North Carolina's lakes that can be found in the Mountain Region.
Lake Lure is one of North Carolina's lakes that can be found in the Mountain Region.


While there is all types of weather and climate that can found all over the Earth, North Carolina has its own unique weather and climate. The different weather that can be experienced in North Carolina tropical storms, hurricans, rain, snow, and ice. North Carolina's climate ranges from hot and warm to cool, depending on the region.




The Coastal Plain Region experiences mild and moderate temperatures depending on seasons. This region also experiences tropical storms, hurricanes, snow, and ice.

Snowfall Accumulation for the Coastal Region of North Carolina in December 2010.
Snowfall Accumulation for the Coastal Region of North Carolina in December 2010.
Hurrican Floyd hit North Carolina's Coast in 1999.
Hurrican Floyd hit North Carolina's Coast in 1999.
Tropical Storm Nicole caused North Carolina (especially the Coastal Region) to experience heavy precipitation.
Tropical Storm Nicole caused North Carolina (especially the Coastal Region) to experience heavy precipitation.

The Piedmont Region experiences extreme temperatures depending on the seasons. This region experiences hot, hot summers and cold, cold winters. The temperatures variate from one extreme to the other. The Piedmont Region has more snowfall, ice and sleet than the Coastal Region. One interesting fact about this region is that it experiences the least amount of precipitation compared to the Coastal Plain Region and the Mountain Region.

Average Seasonal Snowfall for the Piedmont Region is ranges from 4-9 inches.
Average Seasonal Snowfall for the Piedmont Region is ranges from 4-9 inches.


The Mountain Region experiences cool temperatures throughout the year. The Mountain Region experiences snow and ice.


North Carolina is compiled of several different landforms, bodies of water, and different weather and climate. Each region of North Carolina has its own unique geography. Each region has its own landforms that are unique. The Coastal Plain has islands and coast, the Piedmont Region is filled with hills, and the Mountain Region is full of different mountains and mountain ranges. Lakes and rivers can be found across the state. Each region also experiences different weather and climates.



Blue Ridge Mountains and sandy shores. Retrieved from
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/a0272/518/
Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina. Retrieved from http://www.cnyhiking.com/BRP-NorthCarolina.htm
Columbus County. Retrieved from
http://www.intracoastalrealty.com/intracoastal-content/real-estate/area-info.aspx
Dam Removal Restores a Free Flowing Tuckasegee River in NC. Retrieved from
http://www.conservationnext.com/blog/2010/02/15/dam-removal-restores-a-free-flowing-tuckasegee-river-in-nc
February 27-28, 2005 Winter Storm. Retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/~nwsfo/storage/cases/20050228/
Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy. Retrieved from http://www.ptcog.org/planning_services/environmental_planning/water_resources/water_quality/jordan_lake.php
Land of NC. Retrieved from http://landofnc.net/
Lumber River State Park. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumber_River_State_Park
Map of North Carolina river basins. Retrieved from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/6025
Neuse River. Retrieved from http://www.neuse.ncsu.edu/ncmp/
Cape Fear River Facts & Pictures. Retrieved from http://www.wilmingtonbeachrentals.com/2010/02/cape-fear-river-facts-pictures.html
Oak Island NC Lighthouse. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oak_Island_NC_Lighthouse.jpg
Ocracoke Island. Retrieved from http://millerscamp.com/Recent-Pictures.html
Outdoors, Nature and Hiking Near Asheville. Retrieved from http://www.ashevillesleepinn.com/asheville-attractions.php

Sunrise at Indian Boundary Campground. Retrieved from http://photos.igougo.com/pictures-photos-p94529-Sunrise_at_Indian_Boundary_Campground.html
The North Carolina Parkway Experience. Retrieved from
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=69
What are Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations?. Retrieved from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/cede_lonemts/